Preventive Screening Guidelines for Healthy Adults

Getting preventive care is one of the most important steps you can take to manage your health. That's because when a condition is diagnosed early, it is usually easier to treat. And regular checkups can help you and your doctor identify lifestyle changes you can make to avoid certain conditions. As always, consult with your doctor for the screenings and immunizations most appropriate for you.

Please see the screening guidelines below to see if you're up-to-date.1

At each prenatal visit, health care providers should screen pregnant woman for possible exposure to Zika virus before and during the current pregnancy and possible symptoms of Zika virus infection.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Annual chlamydia screening for all sexually active women younger than 25 years and sexually active women 25 years or older with risk factors (e.g., a history of prior chlamydial or other sexually transmitted infection, new or multiple sex partners, sex partner with concurrent partners, sex partner with a sexually transmitted infection, or exchanging sex for drugs or money)

Routine gonorrhea screening should be offered to sexually-active patients at high risk of infection

HIV

Routine screenings for patients 18 years and older, and annual for those at increased risk

Syphilis

Screenings for all pregnant women, and those at increased risk

Sensory Screenings

Eye Exam

Every 2-4 years, age 40–54

Every 1-3 years, age 55–64

Every 1-2 years

Hearing Assessment

Unnecessary if asymptomatic

Immunizations

Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td)

1 dose of Td, then Td booster every 10 years

Influenza

1 dose annually

Pneumococcal

PCV13 1 dose given first
PVSV23 1, 2 or 3 doses if indicated

Once, even if previously vaccinated

Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)

1–2 doses recommended for adults who meet the age requirement, lack documentation of vaccination, or lack evidence of past infection

Meningococcal (Meningitis)

1 or more doses if not previously immunized, depending on risk factors and other indicators; 10 or more doses depending on immunity or past vaccinations

Check at every visit and perform blood pressure screening for hypertension—once every two years for blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg, and every year for systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 89 mm Hg

Cholesterol

Screen for lipid disorder (high cholesterol) starting at age 18

Regular screenings for men over 35, and women over 45 who are at risk for heart disease

Regular screenings for men 18–35, and women 18–45 who have an increased risk for heart disease

Please check subscriber certificate/benefit description for a complete listing of covered tests and procedures. Your plan may not cover every screening test listed. These guidelines are generally for healthy adults with no current symptoms or prior history of medical condition.

1 These guidelines were developed by Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP), a broad-based coalition of health care providers, plans and purchasers working together to promote improvement in the quality of health care services in Massachusetts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an MHQP member.